Touch free automatic type water supply device and spare part system thereof

ABSTRACT

A touch free automatic type water supply device is adapted to be installed at a faucet. The faucet includes an outlet. The touch free automatic type water supply device includes: a shell including an inlet, a flow channel and an outlet, wherein the inlet of the shell is adapted to be communicated with the outlet of the faucet; a control circuit adapted to sense an external object and then to generate a control signal; and a driving unit, whose an end is disposed in the shell, and is physically connected to an end of the flow channel, wherein the driving unit is electrically connected to the control circuit for controlling water flow rate of the outlet or automatically switching on/off water supply of the outlet according to the control signal.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of Taiwan Patent Application No. 102136736, filed on Oct. 11, 2013, which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a touch free automatic type water supply device and more particularly to a touch free automatic type water supply device and a spare part system thereof, wherein the touch free automatic type water supply device controls water flow rate or automatically switches on/off water supply.

2. Related Art

Recently, a common water supply device, e.g., faucet or various water supply pipes, etc. is provided with a rotational switch located thereon for controlling the water supply device to supply water and suitably adjust the water volume, whereby humans can wash their hand so as to prevent from the propagatation and spread of bacteria and virus. During the actual use, in order to prevent a surface of the rational switch from dirt and bacteria on the hand, a user first applies soap to his hand, and then turns on the rational switch, whereby the water supply device can supply clean water to wash the hand so as to finish the washing step.

However, after the hand is coated with soap and the rational switch is turn on, the surface of the rational switch is still infected with soap together with dist and bacteria. Thus, after the washing step, it is necessary that two hands take water to wash the surface of the rational switch, whereby soap cannot be attached on the rational switch so as to cause the user to have great inconvenience. Furthermore, in the long-term use the water which is used to wash the soap located on the surface of the rational switch is wasted in the water resource so as not to meet the requirement of environmental protection.

Accordingly, a need remains for a touch free automatic type water supply device to solve the foregoing problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The objective of the present invention is to provide a touch free automatic type water supply device, which can control water flow rate or automatically switch on/off water supply.

To achieve the foregoing objective, the present invention provides a touch free automatic type water supply device adapted to be installed at a faucet, the faucet including an outlet, the touch free automatic type water supply device comprising: a shell comprising an inlet, a flow channel and an outlet, wherein the outlet is communicated with the inlet through the flow channel, there is a predetermined angle between a centre line of the inlet and a centre line of the flow channel, and the inlet of the shell is adapted to be communicated with the outlet of the faucet; a control circuit adapted to sense an external object and then to generate a control signal; and a driving unit, whose an end is disposed in the shell, and is physically connected to an end of the flow channel, wherein the driving unit is electrically connected to the control circuit for controlling water flow rate of the outlet or automatically switching on/off water supply of the outlet according to the control signal.

The first, second and third touch free automatic type water supply devices (abbreviating to: the water supply devices below) of the present invention can be directly installed at the outlet of the faucet, whereby the user can conveniently install the water supply devices by himself. The water supply device of the present invention can sense the external object by utilizing sensors of the first or second control circuit, whereby the user doesn't need to touch the faucet or the water supply device, while cleans something, washes his hands or takes water. Also, the water supply device can automatically switch on/off water supply, and thus the water wasted in the water resource can be decreased.

To make the aforementioned and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention clearer, detailed illustration is provided in the following with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a first touch free automatic type water supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a combined perspective view of a first touch free automatic type water supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a partially cross-sectional view of a first touch free automatic type water supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a second touch free automatic type water supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing that the touch free automatic type water supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention is used.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing that the third touch free automatic type water supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention is used.

FIG. 7 is a partially cross-sectional view of a third touch free automatic type water supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings which are given for illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the present invention.

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a first touch free automatic type water supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a combined perspective view of a first touch free automatic type water supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a partially cross-sectional view of a first touch free automatic type water supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The first touch free automatic type water supply device 100 is adapted to be installed at a faucet, and the first touch free automatic type water supply device 100 includes a shell 110, a first control circuit 120 and a driving unit 130. The shell 110 includes an inlet 111, a flow channel 112 and an outlet 113. The outlet 113 is communicated with the inlet 111 through the flow channel 112, and there is a predetermined angle between the centre line of the inlet 111 and the centre line of the flow channel 112. The inlet 111 of the shell 110 is adapted to be communicated with an outlet of the faucet. In this embodiment, the predetermined angle is 90 degrees. The first control circuit 120 is adapted to sense an external object and then to generate a control signal. An end 130 a of the driving unit 130 is disposed in the shell 110, and is physically connected to an end 112 a of the flow channel 112. The driving unit 130 is electrically connected to the first control circuit 120 for controlling water flow rate of the outlet 113 or automatically switching on/off water supply of the outlet 113. A path of the flowing water passes through the inlet 111, the flow channel 112, the driving unit 130 and the outlet 113 (refer to the direction of a straight arrow 112 b shown in FIG. 3).

The driving unit 130 includes a motor 131 and a valve core 140. The motor 131 is electrically connected to the first control circuit 120. The valve core 140 includes a control rod 141 and a throttling plate 142. The control rod 141 is mechanically connected to the motor 131. The valve core 140 has a plurality of side apertures 140 a for receiving water from the flow channel 112 and sending the water into the valve core 140. The throttling plate 142 is assembled to the control rod 141, and has a through aperture 142 a. The through aperture 142 a is corresponding to the outlet 113, whereby when the control rod 141 rotates the throttling plate 142, the overlapping area between the through aperture 142 a and the outlet 113 can be adjusted. At this time, the water located in the valve core 140 flows from the through aperture 142 a to the outlet 113, and thus water flow rate of the outlet 113 can be controlled. The through aperture 142 a is in the shape of tadpole. The valve core 140 can be made of metallic material or ceramic material.

The first control circuit 120 can include a first sensor 121 and a second sensor 122. The first sensor 121 and the second sensor 122 shown in FIG. 2 are disposed on a circuit board having the first control circuit 120, but it is not desired to limit this embodiment of the present invention. For example, the first sensor 121 can be also disposed on the shell 110 and is adjacent to the outlet 113, and the first sensor 121 is electrically connected to the circuit board. The first sensor 121 and the second sensor 122 can be an infrared sensor or a microwave sensor. The first sensor 121 is adapted to sense an external object located below the outlet 113 of the shell 110. For example, when a hand of a user is put at a position below the outlet 113, the first sensor 121 senses the appearance of the hand and then generates an open signal. Then, the open signal is transmitted to the motor 131, and the motor 131 rotationally drives the control rod 141 and the throttling plate 142 of the valve core 140, whereby the through aperture 142 a of the throttling plate 142 and the outlet 113 are aligned, and the water flows through the outlet 113. When the hand of the user leaves the position below the outlet 113, the first sensor 121 senses the disappearance of the hand and then generates a closed signal. The closed signal is transmitted to the motor 131, and the motor 131 rotationally drives the control rod 141 and the throttling plate 142 of the valve core 140, whereby the through aperture 142 a of the throttling plate 142 and the outlet 113 are staggered, and the water cannot flow through the outlet 113.

The second sensor 122 is adapted to sense an external object located beside the shell 110. For example, when a hand of a user obstructs and then leaves the second sensor 122, the second sensor 122 senses the first appearance and the first disappearance of the hand and then generates a sustained open signal. The sustained open signal is transmitted to the motor 131, and the motor 131 rotationally drives the control rod 141 and the throttling plate 142 of the valve core 140, whereby the through aperture 142 a of the throttling plate 142 and the outlet 113 are aligned, and the water flows through the outlet 113. When the hand of the user obstructs and then leaves the second sensor 122 again, the second sensor 122 senses the second appearance and the second disappearance of the hand and then generates a closed signal. The closed signal is transmitted to the motor 131, whereby the water cannot flow through the outlet 113.

In another embodiment, the first control circuit 120 further includes a third sensor 123. The third sensor 123 is also adapted to sense the external object located beside the shell 110, and the sensing direction of the third sensor 123 is the same as that of the second sensor 122. For example, when a hand of a user obstructs and then leaves the second and third sensors 122, 123 simultaneously, the second and third sensors 122, 123 sense the first appearance and the first disappearance of the hand and then generate a sustained open signal. The sustained open signal is transmitted to the motor 131, whereby the water flows through the outlet 113. Then, when the hand of the user only obstructs the second sensor 122, the water flow rate of the outlet 113 is continuously increased; and when the hand of the user only obstructs the third sensor 123, the water flow rate of the outlet 113 is continuously decreased. Thus, the water flow rate of the outlet 113 can be controlled by only obstructing the second sensor 122 or the third sensor 123. When the hand of the user obstructs and then leaves the second and third sensors 122, 123 simultaneously and again, the second and third sensors 122, 123 sense the second appearance and disappearance of the hand and then generates a closed signal. The closed signal is transmitted to the motor 131, whereby the water cannot flow through the outlet 113.

The first control circuit 120 further includes a light display unit 124 for displaying different light according to the condition of the water flow rate of the outlet 113. In this embodiment, the light display unit 124 can include a red light 124 a and a yellow light 124 b. For example, when the red light 124 a is bright, it indicates that the water flow rate of the outlet 113 is in the maximal condition. When the yellow light 124 b is bright, it indicates that the water flow rate of the outlet 113 is continuously increased. In another embodiment, the light display unit 124 can be a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) for brightening different number of LEDs according to the condition of the water flow rate of the outlet 113.

The first touch free automatic type water supply device 100 further includes an envelope lid 150 and a battery container 160. The other end 130 b of the driving unit 130 and the first control circuit 120 are disposed in the envelope lid 150. The battery container 160 is electrically connected to the first control circuit 120 and the driving unit 130, and is also disposed in the envelope lid 150. The battery container 160 is provided with a battery for supplying electrical power to the first control circuit 120 and the driving unit 130. When the battery container 160 is disposed in the envelope lid 150, a battery lid 170 can be further used for mounting the battery container 160 in the envelope lid 150. The design of the battery container 160 can prevent the first control circuit 120 and the driving unit 130 from using the voltage of 110 volts so as to avoid the danger of electric leakage. The envelope lid 150 is adapted to protect the first control circuit 120, the driving unit 130 and the battery container 160 from damage caused by the splashing water.

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a second touch free automatic type water supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The second touch free automatic type water supply device 200 is similar to the first touch free automatic type water supply device 100, and the similar elements have been designated by similar reference numbers. The differences between the second touch free automatic type water supply device 200 and the first touch free automatic type water supply device 100 is that: the second touch free automatic type water supply device 200 uses the second driving unit 230, which is different from the driving unit 130 of the first touch free automatic type water supply device 100.

An end 230 a of the second driving unit 230 is disposed in the shell 210, and is physically connected to an end 212 a of the flow channel 212. The other end 230 b of the second driving unit 230 and the second control circuit 220 (having no the third sensor 123) are disposed in the envelope lid 250, and the battery lid 270 is used for mounting the battery container 260 in the envelope lid 250, whereby the second touch free automatic type water supply device 200 is completed. The second driving unit 230 of the second touch free automatic type water supply device 200 is a solenoid valve 232. An end (i.e., the end 230 a of the second driving unit 230) of the solenoid valve 232 is disposed in the shell 210, and is physically connected to the end 212 a of the flow channel 212. The solenoid valve 232 is electrically connected to the second control circuit 220. The second control circuit 220 is adapted to sense an external object and then to generate a control signal. The control signal is transmitted to the solenoid valve 232. The solenoid valve 232 switches on/off water supply of the outlet 213 according to the control signal.

The second control circuit 220 can include a first sensor 221 and a second sensor 222. The first sensor 221 and the second sensor 222 can be an infrared sensor or a microwave sensor. The first sensor 221 is adapted to sense an external object located below the outlet 213 of the shell 210. For example, when a hand of a user is put at a position below the outlet 213, the first sensor 221 senses the appearance of the hand and then generates an open signal. The open signal is transmitted to the solenoid valve 232, and then the solenoid valve 232 is opened, whereby the water flows through the outlet 213. When the hand of the user leaves the position below the outlet 213, the first sensor 221 senses the disappearance of the hand and then generates a closed signal. The closed signal is transmitted to the solenoid valve 232, and then the solenoid valve 232 is closed, whereby the water cannot flow through the outlet 213.

The second sensor 222 is adapted to sense an external object located beside the shell 110. For example, when a hand of a user obstructs and then leaves the second sensor 222, the second sensor 222 senses the first appearance and the first disappearance of the hand and then generates a sustained open signal. Then, the sustained open signal is transmitted to the solenoid valve 232, and then the solenoid valve 232 is opened, whereby the water flows through the outlet 213. When the hand of the user obstructs and then leaves the second sensor 222 again, the second sensor 222 senses the second appearance and the second disappearance of the hand and then generates a closed signal. The closed signal is transmitted to the solenoid valve 232, and then the solenoid valve 232 is closed, whereby the water cannot flow through the outlet 213.

In addition, according to a spare part system of the touch free automatic type water supply device of the present invention, the shell 110, the envelope lid 150 and the battery container 160 of the first touch free automatic type water supply device 100 can be the same as those of the second touch free automatic type water supply device 200, and the shells 110, 210, the envelope lids 150, 250 and the battery containers 160, 260 can be shared, whereby the production cost of a mold can be decreased, and the common use of the shells 110, 210, the envelope lids 150, 250 and the battery containers 160, 260 can be increased.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view showing that the touch free automatic type water supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention is used. The touch free automatic type water supply device can be the first touch free automatic type water supply device 100 or second touch free automatic type water supply device 200. For example, the first touch free automatic type water supply device 100 is installed at an outlet 320 of a faucet 300. When a user washes his hands, at least one of his hands is put at a position below the outlet 113 of the first touch free automatic type water supply device 100, whereby the water can flow through the outlet 113 of the first touch free automatic type water supply device 100. There is a predetermined angle (e.g., 90 degrees) between the centre line of the inlet 111 and the centre line of the flow channel 112, and thus there is still a predetermined distance between the outlet 113 and a bottom of a washing basin 310 (i.e., the entire height of the first touch free automatic type water supply device 100 having 90 degrees between the inlet 111 and the flow channel 112 is smaller than the entire height of the conventional water supply device having 0 degree between the inlet and the flow channel), when the first touch free automatic type water supply device 100 is installed at the outlet 320 of the faucet 300. Accordingly, the outlet 113 cannot be greatly adjacent to the bottom of the washing basin 310, and it is not difficult to use the first touch free automatic type water supply device 100 for user.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing that a third touch free automatic type water supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention is used. FIG. 7 is a partially cross-sectional view of the third touch free automatic type water supply device according to an embodiment of the present invention. The third touch free automatic type water supply device 400 is similar to the first touch free automatic type water supply device 100, and the similar elements have been designated by similar reference numbers. The differences between the third touch free automatic type water supply device 400 and the first touch free automatic type water supply device 100 is that: centre lines of an inlet 411, a flow channel 412 and an outlet 413 of the third touch free automatic type water supply device 400 are the same. A structure of the third touch free automatic type water supply device 400 is described below.

The third touch free automatic type water supply device 400 includes a shell 410, a control circuit 420 and a driving unit 430. The shell 410 includes an inlet 411, a flow channel 412 and an outlet 413. The outlet 413 is communicated with the inlet 411 through the flow channel 412. The inlet 411 of the shell 410 is adapted to be communicated with an outlet 320 of the faucet 300. In this embodiment, the centre lines of the inlet 411, the flow channel 412 and the outlet 413 of the third touch free automatic type water supply device 400 are the same.

The control circuit 420 is adapted to sense an external object and then to generate a control signal. An end of the driving unit 430 is disposed in the shell 410, and is physically connected to the flow channel 412 for controlling water flow rate of the outlet 413 or automatically switching on/off water supply of the outlet 413 according to the control signal.

When the water is outputted from the faucet 300, the third touch free automatic type water supply device 400 has more water flow rate, because the centre lines of the inlet 411, the flow channel 412 and the outlet 413 of the third touch free automatic type water supply device 400 are the same, and further a drag caused by the flowing water in the flow channel 412 is decreased.

In conclusion, the first, second and third touch free automatic type water supply devices (abbreviating to: the water supply devices below) of the present invention can be directly installed at the outlet of the faucet, whereby the user can conveniently install the water supply devices by himself The water supply device of the present invention can sense the external object by utilizing sensors of the first or second control circuit, whereby the user doesn't need to touch the faucet or the water supply device, while cleans something, washes his hands or takes water. Also, the water supply device can automatically switch on/off water supply, and thus the water wasted in the water resource can be decreased.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the implementation manners or embodiments of the technical solutions adopted by the present invention to solve the problems and it's not desired to limit the scope of the invention. Accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A touch free automatic type water supply device adapted to be installed at a faucet, the faucet including an outlet, the touch free automatic type water supply device comprising: a shell comprising an inlet, a flow channel and an outlet, wherein the outlet is communicated with the inlet through the flow channel, there is a predetermined angle between a centre line of the inlet and a centre line of the flow channel, and the inlet of the shell is adapted to be communicated with the outlet of the faucet; a control circuit adapted to sense an external object and then to generate a control signal; and a driving unit, whose an end is disposed in the shell, and is physically connected to an end of the flow channel, wherein the driving unit is electrically connected to the control circuit for controlling water flow rate of the outlet or automatically switching on/off water supply of the outlet according to the control signal.
 2. The touch free automatic type water supply device according to claim 1, wherein the driving unit comprises: a motor electrically connected to the control circuit; and a valve core comprises: a control rod mechanically connected to the motor; and a throttling plate assembled to the control rod, and having a through aperture corresponding to the outlet, whereby when the control rod rotates the throttling plate, the overlapping area between the through aperture and the outlet is adjusted.
 3. The touch free automatic type water supply device according to claim 1, wherein the driving unit is a solenoid valve.
 4. The touch free automatic type water supply device according to claim 1, wherein the control circuit comprises: a first sensor adapted to sense an external object located below the outlet of the shell; and a second sensor adapted to sense an external object located beside the shell.
 5. The touch free automatic type water supply device according to claim 4, wherein the control circuit further comprises: a third sensor also adapted to sense the external object located beside the shell, wherein the sensing direction of the third sensor is the same as that of the second sensor.
 6. The touch free automatic type water supply device according to claim 1, wherein the control circuit further comprises a light display unit for displaying different light according to a condition of the water flow rate of the outlet.
 7. The touch free automatic type water supply device according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined angle is 90 degrees.
 8. A spare part system of a touch free automatic type water supply device, comprising: a first touch free automatic type water supply device comprising: a first shell comprising a first inlet, a first flow channel and a first outlet, wherein the first outlet is communicated with the first inlet through the first flow channel, and there is a predetermined angle between a centre line of the first inlet and a centre line of the first flow channel; a first control circuit adapted to sense an external object and then to generate a first control signal; and a first driving unit, whose an end is disposed in the first shell, and is physically connected to an end of the first flow channel, wherein the first driving unit is electrically connected to the first control circuit for controlling water flow rate of the first outlet or automatically switching on/off water supply of the first outlet according to the first control signal, and the first driving unit comprises a motor and a valve core; and a second touch free automatic type water supply device comprising: a second shell comprising a second inlet, a second flow channel and a second outlet, wherein the second outlet is communicated with the second inlet through the second flow channel, and there is a predetermined angle between a centre line of the second inlet and a centre line of the second flow channel; a second control circuit adapted to sense an external object and then to generate a second control signal; and a second driving unit, whose an end is disposed in the second shell, and is physically connected to an end of the second flow channel, wherein the second driving unit is electrically connected to the second control circuit for automatically switching on/off water supply of the second outlet according to the second control signal, and the second driving unit is a solenoid valve; wherein the first shell is the same as the second shell.
 9. The spare part system of the touch free automatic type water supply device according to claim 8, wherein: the first touch free automatic type water supply device further comprises a first envelope lid, and the other end of the first driving unit and the first control circuit are disposed in the first envelope lid; and the second touch free automatic type water supply device further comprises a second envelope lid, and the other end of the second driving unit and the second control circuit are disposed in the second envelope lid; wherein the first envelope lid is the same as the second envelope lid.
 10. The spare part system of the touch free automatic type water supply device according to claim 9, wherein: the first touch free automatic type water supply device further comprises a first battery container electrically connected to the first control circuit and the first driving unit, and also disposed in the first envelope lid; and the second touch free automatic type water supply device further comprises a second battery container electrically connected to the second control circuit and the second driving unit, and also disposed in the second envelope lid; wherein the first battery container is the same as the second battery container.
 11. A touch free automatic type water supply device adapted to be installed at a faucet, the faucet including an outlet, the touch free automatic type water supply device comprising: a shell comprising an inlet, a flow channel and an outlet, wherein the outlet is communicated with the inlet through the flow channel, the centre lines of the inlet, the flow channel and the outlet are the same, and the inlet of the shell is adapted to be communicated with the outlet of the faucet; a control circuit adapted to sense an external object and then to generate a control signal; and a driving unit, whose an end is disposed in the shell, and is physically connected to an end of the flow channel, wherein the driving unit is electrically connected to the control circuit for controlling water flow rate of the outlet or automatically switching on/off water supply of the outlet according to the control signal.
 12. The touch free automatic type water supply device according to claim 11, wherein the driving unit comprises: a motor electrically connected to the control circuit; and a valve core comprises: a control rod mechanically connected to the motor; and a throttling plate assembled to the control rod, and having a through aperture corresponding to the outlet, whereby when the control rod rotates the throttling plate, the overlapping area between the through aperture and the outlet is adjusted.
 13. The touch free automatic type water supply device according to claim 11, wherein the driving unit is a solenoid valve.
 14. The touch free automatic type water supply device according to claim 11, wherein the control circuit comprises: a first sensor adapted to sense an external object located below the outlet of the shell; and a second sensor adapted to sense an external object located beside the shell.
 15. The touch free automatic type water supply device according to claim 14, wherein the control circuit further comprises: a third sensor also adapted to sense the external object located beside the shell, wherein the sensing direction of the third sensor is the same as that of the second sensor.
 16. The touch free automatic type water supply device according to claim 11, wherein the control circuit further comprises a light display unit for displaying different light according to a condition of the water flow rate of the outlet. 